Health of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability

Objective: To evaluate the physical health, mental health, and quality of life [QOL] of mothers with Autism Spectrum Disorders [ASD] and Intellectual Disability [ID] children compared to mothers of typically developed controls [TD]

Design: A cross-sectional Study

Setting: Psychiatric hospital, ministry of health, Kingdom of Bahrain

Method: Mothers' personal characteristics, general health, QOL and functioning were documented through direct interviews. The participants included 90 mothers, 30 in each group

Result: Mothers of ASD children reported more psychological and environmental problems and received more help from family compared to mothers of ID and TD children. All groups obtained a similar score on the QOL total score and physical health score

Conclusion: Mothers of ASD and ID children scored lower than those of TD children on general functioning and global assessment of function [GAF] measurement

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Metabolic Abnormalities among Patients with Depression

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome [MetS] and metabolic abnormalities among patients with depression

Design: A Case-Control Study

Setting: Psychiatric Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Bahrain

Method: Forty-seven adult patients diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder [MDD] were matched 1:1 by age and sex to 47 controls. Personal characteristics were documented and the following measurements were included: weight and height, waist and hip circumference, fasting blood glucose, lipids profile and blood pressure. Statistical analysis used: Case-control analysis of the two groups was done

Result: Forty-seven adult patients diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder [MDD] and 47 controls; 21 [44.7%] patients suffered from metabolic syndrome compared to controls 15 [31.9%]. Obesity [OR=2, 95% CI: 0.85-4.5] and raised Blood Pressure [OR=2, 95% CI: 0.9-4.7] were the two components of MetS which revealed a difference between the two groups

Conclusion: Metabolic abnormalities are highly prevalent among patients with depression in Bahrain. Females had a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome compared to males

Outcomes of children with attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder: global functioning and symptoms persistence

Many adolescents with ADHD show antisocial behaviour and low educational achievement. These issues have not been validated in the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region. The objective of this study was to assess the global functioning and behaviour of children with ADHD growing into adolescence 10 years after initial diagnosis. Parents were interviewed using a structured questionnaire, Conner's Short Version Test and the Children's Global Assessment Scale. Nearly half of our sample had low academic achievement and 36% had no friends. A quarter of the cases were smokers, one admitted abusing drugs and one had attempted suicide. One third of the sample continued to have ADHD symptoms. Adolescents with ADHD had similar school performance and peer relationships to those reported previously, but differences with regard to drug use, suicide and other impulsive behaviour. A follow-up study into adult life using a control group is recommended

Job satisfaction of staff working with individuals with intellectual disabilities in two different settings

Several studies on job satisfaction have been done on healthcare workers in Bahrain; however, no previous research has investigated the staff working with intellectual disability patients. To identify the level of job satisfaction of healthcare staff working with individuals with intellectual disability in two settings in Bahrain. Psychiatric Hospital and Bahraini Association of Intellectual Disabilities and Autism [BAIDA], Bahrain. A Cross-Sectional Study Using a Questionnaire Survey. Staff working with individuals who have intellectual disabilities in the psychiatric hospital [n=41] and in the BAIDA society [n=35] were surveyed using a locally designed questionnaire in September 2011. The questionnaire is designed to assess job satisfaction in terms of eleven factors. Satisfaction in both institutes was good, slightly better among society staff. The satisfaction was not associated with age, duration of work and job type. Males were more satisfied than females in some dimensions. This study revealed that staff working with persons with intellectual disabilities in the two settings were generally satisfied. Overall, the staff in the civic society was more satisfied than those in the hospital. Possible reasons for such differences were discussed, periodic similar studies were recommended for intellectual disabilities staff and other subspecialties

Survey of burnout amongst drug and alcohol unit staff

Burnout has a special significance in healthcare where staff experience psychological, emotional and physical stress. Burnout has major behavioral and health implications. To evaluate the extent to which the staff employed in Drug and Alcohol Unit is affected by burnout. Drug and Alcohol Unit, Psychiatric Hospital, Bahrain. The study is a cross-sectional survey, incorporating a standardized measurement of burnout [Maslach Burnout Inventory: MBI]. All staff in the Drug and Alcohol Unit [N=31] were surveyed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory questionnaire in October 2011. Maslach Burnout Inventory [MBI] is designed to assess the three components of the burnout syndrome: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment. Twenty-four [77.4%] responded, their result indicates a medium level of burnout. The degree of burnout among the staff working in the Drug and Alcohol Unit was low compared to the staff working in General Adult Psychiatry Unit. Personal accomplishment was high in Drug and Alcohol compared to General Adult Psychiatry. The degree of burnout as well as emotional exhaustion in the staff working in the Drug and Alcohol Unit was lower compared to the staff working in General Adult Psychiatry. Dealing with patients' psychological problems, feelings of isolation, lack of support, lack of reward, long hours of work and psychological morbidity leads to higher degree of burnout

Job satisfaction survey of healthcare workers in the psychiatric hospital

Various studies on job satisfaction have been performed on healthcare workers in mental health setting; however, no previous research have investigated the topic in the Bahraini mental health services. The aim of this study is to identify the level of job satisfaction of healthcare workers in the psychiatric hospital. Survey. Psychiatric Hospital. Census of all clinical mental health staffs [N=261] working in the psychiatric hospital were invited to complete Spector's Job Satisfaction Survey [JSS]. One hundred and fifty-three provided usable responses, indicating an average level of satisfaction of 130, which is between satisfaction and indifference. 'Nature of work', 'supervision', 'co-workers' and 'communication' showed high levels of satisfaction compared to 'operating conditions' [pay, promotion, rewards and benefits], which showed an ambivalent or indifferent levels of satisfactions. This study revealed that the staff of psychiatric hospital are generally satisfied. The staff were highly satisfied with nature of work and dissatisfied with benefits